Consumers Are Revolting (Little People No More)

We’ve written before about the web-enabled protests against Brit super-retailer Tesco, now Craig Newmark points us to an article in the Independent that describes how the web is enabling UK consumers to stand up and fight against brands and the establishment.

Banks – More than one million forms demanding refunds have been downloaded from a number of consumer websites.

Utilities – Aa record 4 million householders have dumped their supplier after an internet-led consumer campaign.

Road pricing – In just three months 1.8 million people have signed an online petition launched by a disgruntled motorist from Telford.

Supermarkets – From Devon to Inverness, planning applications for superstores are being thwarted by residents’ campaigns orchestrated on the internet.

Air travel – An estimated 3 per cent of people have stopped flying to help the environment, while 10 per cent are cutting back on flights.

Packaging – Supermarkets have had to defend their practices after thousands of readers emailed examples of environmentally damaging packaging.

Football tickets – Manchester City fans led a boycott of the club’s match at Wigan in protest at the cost of tickets.

Post Offices – Government proposals to axe 2,500 post offices has prompted an organised revolt from pensioners and consumer groups across Britain.

At PSFK we’ve been following the rise of consumer power by tagging articles under ‘Our Terms Not Yours’. Keep an eye out. Do your part.

Independent Online Edition > Business News

Related PSFK Articles

Talking Bollocks – Tesco Gets Some Earache